Chinese threat to attack Taiwan alarms Asia

China’s threat to oppose Taiwanese independence with military force today has triggered an immediate call for peaceful dialogue from Japan and discussion of Australia’s treaty obligations should a war break out.

“I want the two sides to work hard toward a peaceful solution, so there will not be any negative impact,” said Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, whose government recently declared a diplomatic resolution of the Taiwan dispute as a strategic objective with the US.